This Week in Bucks: Dubs Duel in MKE

Milwaukee Bucks had a decent week. It could have been worse for Milwaukee. They went 1-2, and they’re a legitimate chance that Milwaukee could have lost three straight games. They’re flirting with some bad basketball right now. Part of the reason is the Bucks can’t sustain a lead, and their defense struggled in spots. They seem to be giving up open look after open look to teams. And in a week where you really wanted Milwaukee to be 2-1 or 3-0, they were 1-2. That’s disappointing to say the least. Milwaukee faces a very difficult week.

What happened last week: Like we mentioned, Bucks played a 1-2 schedule with losses to the Hornets and Knicks. The loss to Charlotte doesn’t sting like the Knicks one did. The Bucks had that game. There was no reason to lose that game. Brook Lopez lost his cool up nine late in the game, and Knicks found their way back to win in overtime. Lopez has to keep his cool in those situations.

This week
Wednesday vs. Detroit – Pistons are red hot, but much of that is due to their stellar home record. They were beat tonight against Oklahoma City, and they’ll be on the road for the first time in awhile. Dwane Casey had the Bucks number when he was the coach of the Toronto Raptors. Bucks have played the Pistons really well at home in the past couple years.

Friday vs. Golden State – Warriors will have Steph Curry back, but this will be the last game of a long road trip. Warriors will be looking to serve up some revenge, but Bucks will be ready with a loaded crowd on 8:30 pm on Friday night. Bucks are a bad matchup for the Warriors and do not let anyone tell you differently.

SUnday at Toronto – Bucks head up north for a game against the Raptors on Sunday night. Milwaukee doesn’t win much North of the Border. Raptors-Bucks met earlier this year without Kawhi Leonard or Giannis Antetokounmpo. Both players should be in action.

What to watch for?
If a losing streak were to happen… – I’m not trying to be doom and gloom, but this is a good week to tell us a lot about the Bucks. They’ve been sort of average throughout the last week or so, and this will really tell us a great deal. Still early in the year, but we should know more about the problems of the Bucks.

Bucks need Khris Middleton at full go – We saw an issue pop up with Khris Middleton and Mike Budenholzer in Saturday’s game. Middleton sat for the second half and seemed to know he fucked up. Interesting to see what kind of game Middleton has on Wednesday night.